Goo Hara: Korean pop star, 28, found dead at her home
The star made her name in the K-Pop group Kara, before moving into television presenting and film acting.
Monday 25 November 2019 07:41, UK
A Korean pop star who used to sing for the K-Pop group Kara has been found dead at her home in Seoul.
Goo Hara was discovered by a friend in the Gangnam region of Korea's capital, according to the Yonhap news agency. She was 28 years old.
Police have not confirmed the cause of her death.
Hara made her debut in 2008 when she joined the group Kara, which had a big following of fans in South Korea, Japan and other east Asian countries.
After leaving the group, she began a solo career and began fronting South Korean TV shows and acting in films.
Before her death, she had amassed more than 1.6 million Instagram followers.
It has been reported that Hara was previously found unconscious at her home in May after she made an attempt to take her own life.
A month later, she pleaded with fans on social media for positivity, after saying she was finding it difficult to overcome her depression.
In 2018, Hara became embroiled in a public dispute with a former partner. She claimed he was threatening to leak a sex tape to the press, while he alleged she had assaulted him.
The man never released the clip, but was given a suspended jail sentence over the threat, as well as other criminal behaviour.
Hara faced an intense online backlash as a result of the dispute.
In October, fellow K-Pop star Sulli, one of Hara's friends, was also found dead at her home in Seoul.
Sulli was known as an outspoken feminist in South Korea - a rarity among women performers in the relatively conservative country.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email [email protected] in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.